December 2021 and January 2022 Notes from The Board
It’s been a Busy Holiday Season
EVENTS:
Because December and January were full of COVID spikes and warnings, we’ve had to cancel our January 27th performance.
HOWEVER.. we’re looking forward to a “DAY OF JAZZ” on February 27. Be sure to mark it on your calendars!!
Start your day at 11 a.m. with brunch at our Sunday Jazz at the Bootlegger performance. The concert will feature international jazz performers, trumpeter MIKE VAX, lead trumpet in the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Alumni Band and guitarist/educator JACK PETERSEN, formerly of Berklee College of Music and University of North Texas College of Music.
Reservations available on the lvjs.org website. $20.00 LVJS members, $25 general public. (food not included)
Following this, at 3:00 p.m. in Ham Hall at UNLV there will be a special Joe Williams Scholarship Fundraiser concert with Award Winning Jazz Ensemble 1 and guest vocalists. Tickets may be purchased online or at the PAC box office.
On March 27 the Sunday Jazz Series will feature drummer Peppe Merolla’s group.
April 24 trumpeter extraordinaire CARL SAUNDERS, a long time LVJS favorite will be appearing at the Historic 5th Street School. This concert will be taped and submitted for viewing on International Jazz Day Concert, April 30th 2022. Further details will be forthcoming.
DESERT HEAT BIG BAND POSTPONEMENT
The debut of the Desert Heat Big Band has been postponed (because of COVID) however the LVJS volunteer team has been busy putting charts together to be ready when they give us the GO sign.
LVJS BUSINESS
Per your suggestions we have made the following changes:
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LVJS Web Site – the donation site on our website has been changed so we can currently accept any amount your heart/ pocket book can afford. Check it out on LVJS.ORG.
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We now have a dedicated phone to run credit card payments for events and transactions, including merchandise and donations.
GOODBYES:
We are very sorry to announce the passing of longtime LVJS members and KUNV disc jockey DAVID ROWELL, his wife Jan and their son, Andrew.
GUS MANCUSO has also left us. His celebration of life will be held at the Bootlegger Copa room on Thursday, February 3 at 5 p.m.
NOTES WILL NOW BE SENT OUT SEASONALLY
FALL 2022
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September 11th, Sunday Jazz at the Bootlegger Bistro Series featured Jazz Singer Naomi Mauro with Dave Stambaugh, Cocho Arbe, Ken Seiffert and Boris Shapiro. It was a Packed House and Very Enthusiastic crowd!
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October was a Busy Month
On October 9th at the Bootlegger Bistro we had the Joe Lano-Jeff Davis Trio with Jess Gopen. The performance was dedicated to Frank Leone, former president of local 369 and LVJS past president.
On October 22nd we had the annual Community JAZZ Picnic and presentation of the candidates for the LVJS Board for 2023-2024. Also, the new 2023 T Shirts were unveiled, both long and short sleeve and they were a sell out! More long sleeved On Order!
Performing Were:
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The Jazz Arts Community Ensemble (premier performance), a community outreach program with LVJS and the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center.
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The Eddie Sarabia Quintet
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The NSA Student Ensemble led by Charles McNeal.
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The Charles McNeal Quartet.
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Additionally, we presented a donation of $1,000 to Dave Loeb, Director of UNLV Jazz and Commercial Music, in support of the UNLV Jazz Studies Program and $2,000 for Scholarships to 4 students at the Nevada School of the Arts.
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November 13th, Tom Hall led the Simply Bop Septet group at the Sunday Jazz at the Bootlegger Bistro and had the room swing’in! When you see these names, you’ll know why! Gary Anderson, Bob Chmel, Jeff Davis, Matt Green, Loren Little, and Curt Miller…WOW, they were cookin’. We dedicated this concert to Frank Leone and Maggie and Gus Mancuso.
Talk about tough acts to follow…BUT, we are sure you’ll enjoy what we have to offer for the upcoming Winter Season
Here they are!
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December 4th 2022, Bootlegger Series, Ronnie Rose Quintet
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January 15th, 2023, Bootlegger Series, Peppe Merolla Quartet
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February 19th, 2023, Bootlegger Series, Charles McNeal
BTW – Mark Your Calendar for the 3rd Sunday of the Month for some Great Jazz we have lined up for our Sunday Jazz at the Bootlegger Bistro Series!
THIS AND THAT…
VOLUNTEEERS
We want to thank our fabulous volunteers, we wouldn’t have been able to get all these events planned and presented to you without them. There are still openings for more assistance, please contact anyone on the board if interested.
COMMENT CARDS: A Reminder!
We wanted to let you know how important that comment card is that we always have on the tables! From your comments we determine what type of music and artists you want us to present in the future. How you heard about the event helps us determine where we need to direct our advertising budget monies.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The Jazz Arts Community Ensemble/Workshop, has relocated to Winchester Dondero Cultural Center. They will be performing a series of Concerts that will be open to the public.
Their 1st concert will be held on January 21st, 2023 with Rita Lim. More information to follow.
The main goal of the ensemble is to provide interaction among musicians of various skill levels. The workshops take place weekly on Wednesday from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Winchester. If you wish to participate as a core group member or developing/retuning musician (or want more information), please contact either Thom Pastor or Bart di Bartolo at the addresses below.
Thom Pastor, Music Director: sittinzen@aol.com; 702-580-1719 (text/call)
Bart (Russell) di Bartolo: JazzArtsLV@gmail.com, 702-292-7474 (text/call)
SCHOLARSHIPS AND DONATIONS:
A portion of all ticket sales goes to support our youth education and community jazz awareness programs and donations to the Gus Mancuso Scholarship for Music and the Arts go directly for student scholarships. Thank You For Your Generosity!
MEMBER BUSINESS:
Elections – We welcome a new Board Member, Rita Pardue, Rita is presently an on-air personality and Community Engagement Producer at KUNV. This position enables her to connect with schools, non- profits and service organizations throughout the valley. She will be able to help LVJS expand our community Jazz Awareness and outreach presence. The following individuals were reelected: Bart di Bartolo, Tom Hall, Judy Tarte and Sheila Wingfield.
Thank You…LVJS Board: Ryan Baker, Chris Blando, Bart DiBartolo, Tom Hall, Rita Pardue, Judy Tarte, Mimi Williams, Sheila Wingfield